The control is statistical in nature. It is predictable that most ppl wont move to “selfhost or simply choose a different server”. Privacy of metadata (sooner or later users can be identified) is lost anyway. To prevent users from “selfhost or simply choose a different server” marketing is used addressing, again, a vulnerable part of population plus technical hurdles (design choice). A small number of ppl (you?) will always escape control and manipulation.
If ppl choose the statistically centralized type of federated platform they should at least be aware of the trade-offs. Convenience vs. privacy/blacklisting. If there are only a handfull servers all controlled by the same companies its not even federated, its a marketing gag.
As you “have no time to look deeper into this” we will end the discussion here.
Psychopaths . You didnt read.